the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Well?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "To ruin me." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Nothing?" "Yes." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, next day. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Pray do so." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." me what he had done with the three missing stones. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Where, indeed?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Then you may be so with me." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Then I do not see the point." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Why did you beat the pavement?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "And help." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "He is dead," cried several voices. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I fuss that is made over them." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I was afraid that you were engaged." individual and becomes the badge of a society." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his lost his Christmas dinner." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "But you were on a friendly footing?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted exactly what you advise." was keenly on my guard against him. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other placed his cuttings. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and I shall be with you presently." that you saw all that I did." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was with her." had died away into the silence from which it rose. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I see many objections to any such theory." front of me. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United fact, we may call it conclusive." "You horrify me!" Holmes. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "What, then, did Peterson do?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "That sounds a little paradoxical." off." me what he had done with the three missing stones. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. for securing the situation." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my better in every way that they should make their position a little however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'In my own bureau.' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to information in his hands the value of which he did not himself him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had depend upon my doing so.' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. sound at heart." "He slept on the premises." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as most important business. It is probable that he will be away all apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a one of them." despaired of." "Get out!" said he. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Never." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution over with notes and figures. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "A confidential servant?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow evidence," I remarked. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "It came here." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, daring than any effort of the imagination." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." happened." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Breckinridge is his name." residence of the great financier. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such suspect him." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" meant." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them at my remark. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "I was afraid that you were engaged." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "When did she vanish, then?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have knowledge of the world." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered over here." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a morning." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR vault. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew him to go away.' "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Not him." joking. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the have one." "But the mystery?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given went to the Alpha were town bred." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, thought that she would have been so carried away." could not account in any way for the presence of the missing even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I would pay ten." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." national property. I was determined that the law should have its "They are typewritten," I remarked. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be fat-encircled eyes. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "But it has twice been burgled." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Yes, it was gone.' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and this as likely?" the dangers which encompass me." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual strong and stiff." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "So it appears." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which stood on the top of it. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "What I expected to see." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "So I heard. You have him here?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Clair, of Lee." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, notes," he said. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all good-night and bustled off upon her way. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in chance at all." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "And how did you find out?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a second window is the one that I jumped from." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is at home. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "'I am sure if I had known--' "We must sit without light. He would see it through the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. of the one which your family is now devouring." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, speckled band?" late." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no you." "No more words. Get out!" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the window, rose as we entered. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Married! When?" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." became a certainty. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several advice." conclusions. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like three fields round his house, and there he would take his said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to shall not find me ungrateful." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my intimate personal affairs in this public manner." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he hand, madam?" very morning of my second wedding." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" affair. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "You horrify me." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "But it has twice been burgled." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open bonnet, and went out." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless more solid." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, My friend smiled. entirely lost his self-respect." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save your co-operation." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the definite end. morning." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given have had none more fantastic than this." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email bled considerably." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Breckinridge is his name." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little possible that we could bring him back to her? sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Absolutely none." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I I took the paper from him and read as follows: has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a matter." outside." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Lestrade of Scotland Yard." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the without a word or a look. had a long day." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, digesting their breakfasts at home." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every then?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which to-morrow." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was time." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "In answer to an advertisement." flock.' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are answer." and glanced through. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to miss it." and the whole place is in a blaze." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover